What's your favorite E30-era tuning house?

[Ryann]

Has anyone in BMW history done the things that Alpina has done, stylisitically or mechanically? Cool pole, vote cast.

[Court M3]

Alpina although as pointed out above they are not a tuner per se.

[TurboJake]

I have a bunch of hartge parts.
That being said, My vote goes with AC Schnitzer, the company I only have one part from. A shift knob from an S3

[325ix]

Alpina although as pointed out above they are not a tuner per se.

Just curious, but why is it not considered a tuner? They would get my vote if they were a tuner. Otherwise I like Ac Schnitzer, the stripe packages just look so cool!

[nando]

ACS has the best wheels
RD has some of the best performance parts
Alpina has the best styling/interiors

really though, an all-matching, period correct car from any of the major tuners would be pretty sweet. I like them all. :)

[325ix]

That is my exact thought! I feel like Alpina has the absolute coolest body parts ever!

[BrewCity11]

If I had to pick one, the late model ACS kit with 16" wheels is beautiful.
If an early model, i'd go with Hartge.

Not on the list, but I'd go with a BBS car. I know they didn't do any tuning, but stylingwise, my fav.

BBS body kit, 16" RS's, BBS sport seats, steering wheel, done. To me, their styling is like a sophisticated drug dealers car. The thin styling lines on the body, like a toned down testarossa kit.

[E30 Wagen]

I voted Racing Dynamics, they've been my favorite for a long time. I think they had a lot of really nice stuff available which I wish I could still get new.

And I like the picture of the e30 on their current website.

[///M-TRD3]

ACS all the way. Technically, Alpina is not a tuner!


I cannot find the other pics of the ACS S3 2.5 based on the M3. It's a black M3 with 3 pc ACS wheels. It really got me into E30 M3's back in the day.

I know this guy is a member here...

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2976827/1989-bmw-3-series

Does anyone know the member name for the gentleman who's car is linked above?

T.I.A.

[fronton]

but I still voted hartge, because of my respect for the H35-24

[kway]

Just curious, but why is Alpina not considered a tuner?

Because the work they perform is so extensive that they are considered a manufacturer. That's why they have their own VINs. It's also why, although not entirely accurate, they get my vote as favorite "tuner".

Second choice would be Schnitzer, due to their racing history. That goes a long way in my book, same reason I always dismiss Lamborghini in a Lambo Vs. Ferrari discussion.

[///M-TRD3]

Because the work they perform is so extensive that they are considered a manufacturer. That's why they have their own VINs.

Second choice would be Schnitzer, due to their racing history.

This is why I look at the big 3 (atleast the only ones I consider as marquee; Alpina, ACS & Hartge) in a way that makes it hard to vote on them or compare. Alpina and Hartge performed such extensive motor work on the old BMWs that it is hard to compare them with ACS. For that reason I love the Alpinas and Hartges because by todays standards the road car variants of the old BMWs they produced are still seriously quick and the performance specs. and motors they built are phenomenal. ACS on the other hand is also the top tuner of that time (equally with the other two, in my opinion) because of how great their models always looked and their special relationship with BMW that is arguably more rooted in true racing history (or atleast it was at that time).

That being said, if I could have any car from that time period I would go for the brilliantrot Hartge H35-24 E30 M3. Preferably no. 1 or no. 6 of 6 ;)

[10Toes]

HARTGE

[Vspec]

Need moarz pics from each tuner.

Alpina tied with Hartge for first place.

[PKR]

My E21 323i had both Alpina (wheels and aux gas tank) and Hartge (head, camshaft) bits. Each did their thing beautifully. But to pick just one ... that's tough. I personally favor the appearance of the Alpina but the guts of Hartge.